I'm so impressed with how life unfolds and levels the playing field as we all get older and see our own mortality. I still feel like a 30 year old but my eye shadow doesn'twear like I'm thirty. Everything is going south, the facial skin, the boobs, my chin. Oh well, in the infamous words of my best friend Hadidjah Gregory, "we are supposed to get old." I will never forget her words as we stood in front of a cosmetic counter in Dillards, Austin, Texas. Years later, I actually worked in that same store.
What I need to mention today, is my absolute amazement at the fact I love myself, eye bags, fat, wrinkles and all. It's who I am and they show character, and not to mention, so many other women share my looks. I went to a party for Career Transition for Dancers the other evening and saw two women that over 30 years ago danced on Broadway and I would have given my right arm to have their lives. They each danced in the only two shows I had ever seen on Broadway, A Chorus Line and Pippin. There they were standing in the office where the party was and I knew them, having been offered a place to live by one and the other having had sold me a pair a shoes at Karabel's dance store. Life takes it's toll on everyone and to see these ladies, you would never know they were once vibrant dancers who excelled at their craft. They both were also in the film "All That Jazz" with Roy Scheider, about the life of Bob Fosse. Well, I feel pretty good about my life now and realize I would never trade with another.
Later today I saw the two films I worked on at USC and liked how I looked too. My eye bags were on the big screen but so what. I played a social worker and they probably all have bags under their eyes. I'm gonna embrace who I am, what I look like and be happy and grateful. That is my choice and it works for me. I'm sure if I was given a few grand to play with I'd do something to my face, but not much. I don't want to end up looking like a fish or a cat. Yikes! So, onward thru the fog and a happy healthy life. Bieler Broth helps. Dr. Bieler delivered my first daughter at 76 years old so I have a lot to look forward too. I'm only a mere 59. OMG, it's just a number. It's not who I am.
A humorous blog, Pilar. Especially the analogy to looking like a fish or cat! And insightful, having an experience which reminds you how much you love yourself. Isn't it great we get these gentle life reminders that put it all into perspective?
ReplyDeleteLaurie Sheppard, Life & Career Coach
Pilar - Sometimes I, too, look at my own body and despair, caught in the same cultural myopia about self-image we all share without thinking. It is an awareness that lives within what the Buddhists call the 'small' self, the self of this world, which worries itself over minor, transitory concerns. I suspect the reason we get old is so we can remember the 'larger' Self, that which is truly ourselves, which transcends the body, the ego, and our own mortality. We ARE supposed to get old, and it is a gift, not a curse.
ReplyDeleteI just read Benedict's blog and found my way over to yours. Funny you should mention "eye bags" - I just started noticing those in the mirror lately! What I think about is, "Does this reflect the true me or am I living as healthy a lifestyle as I can?" When I'm doing my best to take care of myself then I find it easier to forgive the imperfections that stare back at me. I just smile in the mirror and it smiles right back!
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